Beckham Heads for Hollywood With the Perfect Ending

David Beckham bade farewell to Real Madrid last night by celebrating the first major trophy of his four-year spell in Spain, even if the former England captain was denied a suitably Hollywood-esque ending and was upstaged by José Antonio Reyes, on loan from Arsenal, at the last on a dramatic final evening to the Primera División season.

Madrid were trailing 1-0 to Real Mallorca as Barcelona rampaged over Gimnastic of Tarragona. Barça were effectively top of the table for over an hour when Beckham limped from the turf some 24 minutes from time with a recurrence of an ankle injury. Reyes, his replacement, scored within two minutes of his introduction to pave the way for Madrid's 3-1 win, the Arsenal player adding the side's final goal late on to secure a 30th league title.

Beckham, who will join Los Angeles Galaxy when his contract expires at Real next month, had initially retreated to the bench in despair as his team teetered on the brink of ignominy. The England midfielder was as relieved as he was elated at the final whistle. "I couldn't have dreamt it any better," he said. "It's been about wining the title for the last six months, and we've deserved it tonight.

"It's been an incredible experience but all I remember now are the great things. Winning this tonight now puts to bed everything else. It's amazing to have my family here. They have been with me for four years in Spain and have been through the ups and downs, and they've felt the euphoria tonight. It meant the world to have everyone that supported me throughout my career - my whole family, my wife, my mum and dad, my sister and children. It's incredible."

His sons Romeo, Brooklyn and Cruz, all sporting No23 shirts... joined Beckham for his lap of honor, the 32-year-old midfielder draped in a flag of St George while his wife, Victoria, watched from the stands alongside the couple's celebrity friends and soon-to-be neighbors, Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes. This was Beckham's 157th game for Real and his only silverware previously was the Spanish Super Cup, claimed some four years ago.

His former club, Manchester United, will also be celebrating after benefiting by £680,000 as a result of clauses inserted into Ruud van Nistelrooy's contract when he moved to Madrid last summer.